The Impact of Internal Communication on Employee Performance in an Organization

Abstract

Communication is a very crucial and significant element in an organization and it is necessary for creating collaboration among workers and allowing the organization to function effectively. The flow of information and communication within an organization has its own effects on employees’ performance and decision making and hence a study on internal communications’ influence on employee performance towards attaining organizational objectives is thus essential. This paper seeks to demonstrate the influence of internal communication on employee job performance in an organization by looking at certain internal communication elements. A survey instrument (questionnaire) was used to assess employees’ perceptions of the communication climate, quality of information and communication, communication channels and discretionary effort. A qualitative\quantitative approach was used to describe and analyze data collected for the study from 17 respondents out of a sample population of 25 participants. The findings of the research revealed that internal communication has a significant impact on the overall performance and productivity of employees. Additionally, face to face communication or oral communication was an often utilized communication channel or form. From the study it was also discovered that employee performance in the organization was at certain times stifled due to communication structures that were poor and inadequately utilized and the non-involvement of all employees in the decision making process. However, the research also revealed a controversy between rhetoric and actual communication practices. Nonetheless some recommendations were offered by the researcher which included improving the quality of communication resources and designing a communication plan and strategy that will take into consideration the essential parameters of whom, how, when and what information is to be communicated so as to create a conducive and reliable communication environment that will get the best out of employees.

Keywords: Internal communication, employee performance, organization, efficiency

JEL Classification: Y40, J81